Chinrest



Dec. 19, 1967 J. CLARK 3,358,544

'CHINREST Filed Oct. 22, 1965 I l ,w/

F I G 5.

FIG. 2. FIG. 3. 9 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR United States Patent 3,358,544 (IHlNREdT .l'erome Clark, 80% Lake Ave, Cleveland, @hio 44102 Filed Get. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 1,444 ll Claim. ((11. 84-279) My invention pertains to an improvement in a one piece nonadjustable chinrest for violins. The object being to provide a comfortable, and anatomically correct surface for the jaw or chin to rest upon, when the violin is placed in a playing position. Namely: the instrument held well to the left, and resting on the collarbone, also head turned well to the left, to enable the jaw to contact the top surface of the chinrest. When placed in the manner described, the instrument can be held by the jaw with minimum effort, also the violin will remain extended without use of the left hand to support it.

The device is entirely functional. The entire top surface is fiat, and free of any intricately formed depressions, protuberances, or ridges, which violinists try to fit their jaw into. Also the top flat surface permits an easy axial, and shifting movement of the head and jaw, a movement commonly used by violinists when playing the instrument. The Whole design is based on center of gravity, leverage, and balance of the violin, when the instrument is held in the playing position I have described. I have purposely kept the general appearance of my chinrest in agreement with many of those now in use, so that it will not appear unusual or conspicuous. The eificiency of this device lies in the dual angle top surface, which permits people with different shaped jaws, chins, necks, etc., to find the right spot on the chinrest, to accommodate their individual physiognomy.

This device is attached close to the rear marginal edge of the instrument, and straddles the tailpiece. It is supported at this location by two small pads or feet, which are formed on the bottom of the device, and is held in this position by a standard chinrest clamp. The major area of the chinrest extends left of the tailpiece, and overhangs a portion of the left rear area of the instrument, the rear edge of the chinrest following the curve formed by the left rear body edge of the violin. From this rear edge of the chinrest, and extending in a forward direction constantly parallel to the long axis of the violin, is a top fiat surface that slopes down toward the belly of the violin. From the extreme left point of the chinrest, this top flat surface, progressing in a sideward direction constantly at right angles to the long axis of the violin, slopes down toward the belly of the violin.

The forward edge of this top fiat surface is curved, and of such outline, as to form an apex at its extreme left point of intersection with the rear edge. From this apex the surface broadens until it comes in proximity to the tailpiece, where it becomes narrow to form a bridge over the tailpiece.

To enhance the appearance of the top fiat surface, it can be given a slight dished efiect without substantially interfering with its efficiency.

The underside of the device is suitably relieved, to clear the belly of the violin, and form a slim, neat overhanging lip, supported by the portion that bridges the tailpiece. All edges have suitable radii to remove sharp edges. This device can be made from wood, or moulded of some synthetic material.

In the accompanying drawing,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of my jaw or chinrest, showing it attached to a violin, and straddling the tailpiece.

FIG. 2 is a left elevation.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation.

FIG. 4 is a right elevation.

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing cross section 5-5, which is parallel to the long axis of the violin.

Referring to said drawing in more detail, 8 denotes the top plate or belly of a violin, the perimeter of which is of the usual classic outline. In line with the long axis of the violin, and held above the belly 8, by the tension of the strings, is a standard tailpiece 7, which passing through a clearance hole 9 in the chinrest FIG. 1, extends forward from the rear edge of the instrument.

FIG. 1 shows the rear edge of my chinrest following the periphery of top plate 3, and straddling the tailpiece 7. 6 refers to the top flat surface, which is a combination of two angles. Cross section 55 is taken parallel to the long axis of the violin, and is typical of any cross section taken parallel to 55. This is more clearly shown in FIG. 5, where 11 shows the slope of the top fiat surface 6, which in a forward direction constantly parallel to the long axis of the violin, slopes down toward the top plate or belly 8.

FIG. 3 shows clearance hole 9, for the tailpiece 7, to pass through. 10 refers to two small holes, one on each side of clearance hole 9. into these holes are inserted the ends of a standard chinrest clamp, thus attaching the chinrest firmly to the violin. 12 shows the slope of the top flat surface 6, which in a sideward direction constantly at right angles to the long axis of the violin, slopes down toward the top plate or belly 8. 12 is typical of any cross section of the top fiat surface 6, when said cross section is taken a right angles to the long axis of the violin.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show how the underside of the chinrest is relieved, so that no part of it comes in contact with the top plate or belly 8, with the exception of two small rest pads On the extreme bottom, and adjacent to the tailpiece clearance hole 9.

The design of the chinrest is such, that anyone skilled in the art will know that it was designed to bridge the tailpiece '7. When placed in this location, it cannot be shifted sideways around the lower periphery of the violin, as the tailpiece 7 prevents any such movement. This permanent location keeps the dual angled top flat surface 6 in proper alignment with the long axis of the violin.

Having described my invention in detail, I reserve the right to modify same to meet commercial requirements, without departing from the fundamental principles involved in same.

I claim:

A violin chinrest precisely positioned on the instrument by the right end portion straddling the tailpiece, comprising a body member the top surface of which is fiat, and consists of a forward slope descending at a specific predetermined angle constantly parallel to the long axis of the violin, and a side slope descending at a specific predetermined angle constantly at right angles to the long axis of the violin, and terminating at the far right end of the body member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 196,962 11/1877 White 84279 439,199 10/1890 Schuster 84279 460,133 9/1891 Heck 84279 931,251 8/ 1909 Beisheim 84-279 1,473,672 11/1923 Dittrnann 84279 1,570,361 1/1926 Wallace 84-279 2,077,987 4/ 1937 Coad 84-279 2,594,435 4/ 1952 Hogne 84-279 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,965 1886 Great Britain.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. LOUIS l. CAPOZI, Examiner. C. M. OVERBEY, Assistant Examiner. 

